Bicycle-alarm



Patented 1an. 3, |899.

G. F. HALL. BICYCLE ALARM.

/Applxcatlon Ied Dec 1B 1897 r 2 Sheets-Sheet I.`

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY No. 617,0I3. Patented lan. 3,1899.

G. F. HALL.

BICYCLE ALARM.

,lApplication led Dac. 1S, 1897..

lNvENwroR:

ERC F11 ALLD ATTOR N EY AES irn

GEORGE F. IIALL, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE IIALLS AUTOMATIC WHISTLE COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

BICYCLE-ALARIVL SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 617,013, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed December 18J 1897. Serial No. 662,371. (No model.)

T @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle Whistles or Alarms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has reference `to an automatic signaling device for vehicles-such as velocipedes, bicycles, and other moving apparatus--and also the novel means for operating the same, the purpose of the invention herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings being to provide a simple, effective, and cheap device which is especially adapted for use on bicycles and which consists of a suitable whistle and mechanism for operating a plunger in a cylinder, said means in a bicycle being operated by friction from the periphery of one of the wheels of the vehicle. Y

My novel form of signaling device herein shown and the operative means connected therewith may also be used in connection with other machinery, as in the case of a naphthalaunch, the operative means for working the plunger in the cylinder in that case being made to engage by friction with the shaft of the engine in the boat or with a pulley-wheel thereon.

The main object of my invention is to provide a whistle construction of the nature hereinafter set forth in which the bottom of the air-cylinder in which the plunger reciprocates is closed to the admission of the air and the said cylinder is provided with an air-inlet in its side.

The invention therefore consists in the novel construction of this form of whistle, and also in certain novel arrangements and combinations of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, and nally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a velocipede and my novel form of signal or whistle, clearly illustrating one arrangement of attaching and connecting the same with the steering-head of the velocipede, wherebythe mechanism 'for operating the whistle can be brought in frictional engagement with the periphery of the front Wheel of the vehicle. Fig. 2 is a front View of the whistle or signal. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line a: in Fig. 2, looking in the direction of arrow fc',- and Fig. 4 is a cross-section on line y, looking in the direction of arrow y. Figs. 5` and 6 are a side and front view, respectively, of a bicycle-whistle of a modified form of construction, a portion of the cylinder in Fig. 5 being represented in vertical section; and Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on line .e in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a front View of a signaling device provided with two whistles in place of one, and the other parts connected therewith being likewise duplicated.

In said drawings, Aindicates a suitable cylinder, which is provided with an entirelyclosed bottom a, except the central opening, in which moves a reciprocating plunger-rod a', connected with the usual form of plunger ax within said cylinder, as will be seen from Fig. 5. The hole in the bottom a in which said rod a moves is made just large enough to provide for a free movement of said rod therein, but prevents any dirt and dust from getting into the cylinder. In one side of said cylinder, near the lower end thereof, is a small inlet hole a2, through which the moving plunger connected with the rod o. sucks the air into the said cylinder A on its upward stroke. Secured on the top of said cylinder by means of a suitable ring b3 or in any wellknown manner is a dome-like cover a3. Oonnected with said cover, directly over and opening in the top thereof, is a tube-like portion a4, made in the manner of an inverted U,

forming an air-chamber above the cylinder IOO by leaving an open space b between the upper portion of said whistle and the neck of said discharge-piece d5 of the tube d4. Thus it will be seen that the air which is drawn into the cylinder A by the action of the plunger therein on its upward stroke during the downward stroke of the plunger will be forced between the surrounding edge of the flexible leather part of the plunger and the inner cylindrical surface of the cylinderA and directly above the plunger, and then upon the next upward stroke of the plunger said air is forced through the tube d4 directly into the whistle and produces a loud and continuous blast as long as the plunger in the cylinder is in operation. Said cylinder and the whistle b2 may be suitably connected by bands or rings b5, as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings, or they may be connected in any Vother suitable manner, or they need not be connected at all, as will be clearly evident. Each band or ring is provided with a small ring-shaped portion b4, in which is secured a hollow rod c, provided at the top with a sleeve c and a tightening -screw c2. Adj ustably held in said hollow rod c by means of said screw c2 is a rod c3, having a push piece or knob c4 upon the top thereof. Said rod c3 is adapted to reciprocate in a suitable eye f in an arm or post on one of two clamping-pieces f, which are securely clamped in position around the steering-post of the vehicle by means of screws f2, substantially as illustrated. Thus a bracket is provided in which the rod c3 moves downwardly when pressure is applied to the knob c4 or moves upwardly by the action of a spring g encircling said rod on that portion between the eye f and the knob c4 (see Fig. l) when the pressure is removed from the knob, a collar c and fastening-screw c6 being used on said rod c3 to limit the upward movement of the parts when the pressure has been removed from the said knob c4, and it will be evident that the several parts of the signaling device will always remain in line with the periphery of the wheel when frictional contact is made with the periphery of said wheel by a contact-wheel i, in the manner hereinafter described.

As will be seen from Fig. l, the clamping plate or piece f may have pivotally connected therewith on a suitable pin f3 a bell-crank, which comprises an upwardly-extending arm f4, having one or more push-pieces f5 eX- tending ataright angle therefrom and in close proximity to the handle-bar of the vehicle. Said bell-crank is provided with a second and preferably bifurcated arm f6,which embraces the rod c3 and has attached on apin or screw f7 a connecting rod or link f8, which is pivotally and operatively connected at its lower end to a pin or screw c7 in a pair of lugs cs, connected with a collar a9 on said rod c3. Thus it will be seen that when the rider pushes upon the push-piece f5 these several parts will operate to bring the contact or friction wheel e' in engagement with the periphery of the wheel of the vehicle, whereby the plunger in the cylinder is operated and an alarm or signal is sounded. Secured to the lower end of said rod c is a suitable bracket e, comprising a downwardly-extending arm e', provided at the bottom with a screw or pin e2. Pivotally connected at one end with a pin e4 on a clamp e3, attached to one of the parts of the fork of the bicycle-frame, as illustrated in said Fig. l, and to said pin or screw e2 on the arm e, is a link e5, whereby the lower portion of the device is pivotally and operatively connected with the frame of the vehicle, as will be clearly evident. Said bracket e is also provided with a yoke e, having an elongated opening e7 and an eye e8, in which the plunger-rod a reciprocates, and acts as a guide to maintain a perfectly vertical motion of said rod. Said arm c of the bracket e is also provided with a pin e, on which is rotatively arranged the contact or friction wheel t', on one of the spokes of which is an outwardly-extending pin or stud i. Pivotally connected with said pin or stud by means of a screw 2 and also pivotally connected with a screw 7L in a collar h on the plunger-rod a' is a connecting-rod h2, whereby when the wheel v1 is brought in frietional contact with the wheel of the vehicle said connecting-rod will operate the rod a and the plunger in the cylinder A will force air through the tube a4 into the whistle b2 and along and loud alarm will be sounded.

In place of the bracket e and the part connected therewith I may secure to the lower part of the cylinder A a tube-like shell 7c, having a pair of downwardly-extending lugs 7c', provided with the screws or pins k2, on

each of which is arranged a contact or friction wheel if. Said wheels are connected by a rod 4, to which is pivotally attached the lower end of the connecting-rod h2, which is also pivotally connected at the top to the plunger-rod a in the manner hereinabove described. Said plunger-rod in this construction, which is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, reciprocates in a perforated part of a guide l, secured between the lugs k of the shell 7s by the screws k3, and the connecting-rod h2, passing through the yoke l' in said guide, having an elongated opening Z2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. The operations of the several parts of this construction of bicyclewhistle for sounding an alarm are similar to those described in connection'with Figs. 1 and 2 and will be evident from an inspection of said Figs. 5 and 6.

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated the whistle or alarm provided with two cylinders A', two tube portions a7, and two whistles b5, and I also use two plunger-rods asand connectingrods ha, the bracket e and its parts being Varied accordingly and having two yokes elo, through which said rods ha work, and I employ two contacter friction wheels 714, with IOO IIO

which the connecting-rods are operatively connected in the manner clearly illustrated in said Fig. S.

My invention may be used in connection with the wheels or axle of any vehicle, as a fire-engine or other moving apparatus, as will be clearly evident.

The device can be readily attached to any form of velocipede or bicycle, the fittings used in connection with the same for securing the device to the steering-post of the vehicle being such that the signaling device can be used with any style of handle-bars.

By providing the cylinder with an ai r-chamber and a downwardly-projecting whistle and also by closing the bottom and placing a small air-inlet in the side of the cylinder the liability of dirt getting into the cylinder is entirely overcome, and, furthermore, the air is more easily compressed in said chamber and is sent with additional force into the whistle to produce a steady, continuous, and very loud blast.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. The herein-described signaling device, comprising,a cylinder, an air-chamber on said cylinder provided with a downwardly-extending air-outlet, said cylinder having a closed bottom and an air-inlet in one side, a whistle connected with said air-chamber,a plunger in said cylinder, a vertically-moving plungerrod, a hollow rod c connected with said cylinder, a spring-actuated rod c3 adj ustably connected with said rod c, a clamp having an eye f' in which said rod c3 is adapted to reciprocate, a bracket e and clamp e3, a link c5, a yoke e having an elongated opening and an eye e8 in which the plunger-rod is vertically movable, a contact-wheel and connecting-rod connecting said Wheel with the plunger-rod, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination, with the frame of a vehicle, of a signaling device connected with said frame, comprising a cylinder, an airchamber on said cylinder, provided with a downwardly-extending air-outlet, said cylinder having a closed bottom and an air-inlet in one side, and a whistle connected with 5d said outlet in the air-chamber, a plunger in said cylinder, a hollow rod c connected with said cylinder, a spring-actuated rod c3 adjustably secured in said rod c, a frictionwheel on the lower end of said rod c and a connecting-rod connecting said friction-wheel with the plunger in the cylinder, and means connected with said rod c3 for causing frictional and operative engagement of said friction-wheel with the vehicle-Wheel, consisting, essentially, of a bell-crank, having an upwardly-extending arm and a push-piece f5, an arm f6 and a link f8 pivotally connected with said arm f 6 and said rod c3, substantially as and for. the purposes set forth.

3. The herein-described signaling device, comprising, a cylinder, an air-chamber on said cylinder provided with a downwardlyextending air-outlet, said cylinder having a closed bottom and an air-inlet in one side, a whistle connected with said air-outlet, a plunger in said cylinder,a vertically-moving plunger-rod, a hollow rod c connected with said cylinder, a spring-actuated rod cd adj ustably connected with said `rod c, a clamp having an eye f' in which said rod c3 is adapted to reciprocate, and means connected with said rod cB for causing the reciprocating motion of said rod in said eye j", consisting, essentially, of a bellcrank, having an upwardly-extending arm and a push-piece f5, an arm f6 and a link f8 pivotally connected with said arm f 6 and said rod c3,and a bracket e,a clamp c3, a link e, a yoke e6 having an elongated opening and an eye e8 in which the plunger-rod is vertically movable, and a contact-wheel and connecting-rod connecting said wheel with the plunger-rod, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of December, 1897.

GEORGE F. HALL.

Witnesses:

FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL, WM. Il. CAMFIELD, J r. 

